Triceps press exercise machine with a moving user support

ABSTRACT

An exercise machine for performing triceps press exercises, including a moving user support that supports the user in a seated position. The exercise machine includes a linkage assembly that allows the user support to tilt as the user performs a triceps press exercise. As the user extends his or her arms from the exercise starting position to the exercise ending position, the user support frame—and thus the user&#39;s torso—reclines progressively backwards. The user&#39;s natural reaction to this reclining sensation is to bring his or her head forward, which encourages the user to plant his or her lower back firmly into a stable position against the back pad and in turn reduces the risk of injury associated with excessively arching of the lower back.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/234,031, filed on Sep. 28, 2015, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety for all purposes.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

This application is not the subject of any federally sponsored researchor development.

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

There have been no joint research agreements entered into with any thirdparties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to fitness equipment.Specifically, the embodiments of the present invention are directed toan exercise machine for performing triceps press exercises, including amoving user support platform or frame that allows a user to performtriceps press exercises without excessively arching his or her lowerback.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Traditional triceps press exercise machines include a stationaryplatform or frame for supporting the user while the user performstriceps press exercises. These traditional triceps press exercisemachines support the user in a relatively fixed sitting position whilethe user extends his or her arms about the elbow from an exercisestarting position to an exercise ending position (and often back to theexercise starting position).

It is naturally instinctive for a user performing a heavy-resistancepressing exercise in a stationary position to arch his or her lower backin an effort to manage and overcome the resistance. Excessive arching ofthe lower back sacrifices exercise form, decreases the efficiency of theexercise, and can lead to lower back pain, strain, or other associatedinjury.

Consequently, a need exists for a triceps press exercise machine thatmaintains the user's body in a more ergonomically sound position, andcounteracts the user's natural inclination to arch his or her lowerback, throughout the exercise motion. The embodiments of the presentinvention solve this problem by providing a triceps press exercisemachine that includes a moving user support frame to support the user ina seated position. The triceps press exercise machine may include alinkage assembly that allows the user support frame to tilt as the userperforms a triceps press exercise. As the user extends his or her armsfrom the exercise starting position to the exercise ending position, theuser support frame—and thus the user's torso—reclines progressivelybackwards. The user's natural reaction to this reclining sensation is tobring his or her head forward, which encourages the user to plant his orher lower back firmly into a stable position against the back pad. Otheradvantages of the present invention will become apparent to one skilledin the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the present invention is directed to an exercisemachine for performing triceps press exercises, the exercise machineincluding a stationary main frame; a connecting linkage assemblypivotally connected to the main frame; a user engagement linkageassembly pivotally connected to the connecting linkage assembly; atleast one exercise arm pivotally connected to the user engagementlinkage assembly and configured to be moved by a user from an exercisestarting position to an exercise ending position; a source of resistanceassociated with the at least one exercise arm, which may be aselectorized weight stack assembly and which biases the at least oneexercise arm toward the exercise starting position; a user support framepivotally connected to the main frame and to the user engagement linkageassembly, wherein the user support frame is configured to support a userin a seated position and includes a seat pad, a back pad, and afootrest, and wherein the user support frame is configured to reclineprogressively backward as the at least one exercise arm moves from theexercise starting position to the exercise ending position.

Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to an exercisemachine for performing triceps press exercises, the exercise machineincluding a stationary main frame; a connecting linkage assemblypivotally connected to the main frame; a linkage mount assemblypivotally connected to the connecting linkage assembly; a userengagement linkage assembly pivotally connected to the linkage mountassembly; at least one exercise arm pivotally connected to the userengagement linkage assembly and configured to be moved by a user from anexercise starting position to an exercise ending position, wherein theuser engagement linkage assembly may be rotated and locked into aselected orientation with respect to the linkage mount assembly in orderto adjust the position of the at least one exercise arm in the exercisestarting position and the exercise ending position; a source ofresistance associated with the at least one exercise arm, which may be aselectorized weight stack assembly and which biases the at least oneexercise arm toward the exercise starting position; a user support framepivotally connected to the main frame and to the linkage mount assembly,wherein the user support frame is configured to support a user in aseated position and includes a seat pad, a back pad, and a footrest, andwherein the user support frame is configured to recline progressivelybackward as the at least one exercise arm moves from the exercisestarting position to the exercise ending position.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention is directed to anexercise machine for performing triceps press exercises, the exercisemachine including a stationary main frame; a user engagement linkageassembly pivotally connected to the main frame; at least one exercisearm pivotally connected to the user engagement linkage assembly andconfigured to be moved by a user from an exercise starting position toan exercise ending position; a source of resistance associated with theat least one exercise arm, which may be a selectorized weight stackassembly and which biases the at least one exercise arm toward theexercise starting position; a connecting linkage assembly pivotallyconnected to the user engagement linkage assembly; a user support framepivotally connected to the main frame and to the connecting linkageassembly, wherein the user support frame is configured to support a userin a seated position and includes a seat pad, a back pad, and afootrest, and wherein the user support frame is configured to reclineprogressively backward as the at least one exercise arm moves from theexercise starting position to the exercise ending position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred features of the embodiments of the present invention aredisclosed in the accompanying drawings, wherein similar referencecharacters denote similar elements throughout the several views, andwherein:

FIGS. 1-6 are views of a triceps press exercise machine according to thepresent invention in the exercise starting position.

FIGS. 7-12 are views of the exercise machine in the exercise startingposition, as depicted in FIGS. 1-6, but with a user in place to furtherillustrate the operation of the exercise machine.

FIGS. 13-18 are views of the exercise machine, as depicted in FIGS.1-12, but in the exercise ending position.

FIGS. 19-24 are views of the exercise machine in the exercise endingposition, as depicted in FIGS. 13-18, but with a user in place tofurther illustrate the operation of the exercise machine.

FIG. 25 is a right side view of the exercise machine, as depicted inFIGS. 7-12 and 19-24, with the exercise starting position and exerciseending positions superimposed.

FIG. 26 is a rear isometric view of the exercise machine, as depicted inFIGS. 1-25, including a weight transport cable and its routing.

FIGS. 27-28 are exploded views of the exercise machine, as depicted inFIGS. 1-26.

FIGS. 29-34 are views of a second alternative embodiment of a tricepspress exercise machine according to the present invention in theexercise starting position.

FIGS. 35-40 are views of the second alternative embodiment exercisemachine in the exercise starting position, as depicted in FIGS. 29-34,but with a user in place to further illustrate the operation of theexercise machine.

FIGS. 41-46 are views of the second alternative embodiment exercisemachine, as depicted in FIGS. 29-40, but in the exercise endingposition.

FIGS. 47-52 are views of the second alternative embodiment exercisemachine in the exercise ending position, as depicted in FIGS. 41-46, butwith a user in place to further illustrate the operation of the exercisemachine.

FIGS. 53-58 are views of the second alternative embodiment exercisemachine, as depicted in FIGS. 29-52, but in the exercise startingposition for an incline chest press exercise.

FIGS. 59-64 are views of the second alternative embodiment exercisemachine in the exercise starting position for an incline chest pressexercise, as depicted in FIGS. 53-58, but with a user in place tofurther illustrate the operation of the exercise machine.

FIGS. 65-70 are views of the second alternative embodiment exercisemachine, as depicted in FIGS. 29-64, but in the exercise ending positionfor an incline chest press exercise.

FIGS. 71-76 are views of the second alternative embodiment exercisemachine in the exercise ending position for an incline chest pressexercise, as depicted in FIGS. 65-70, but with a user in place tofurther illustrate the operation of the exercise machine.

FIGS. 77-82 are views of a third alternative embodiment exercise machineof a triceps press exercise machine according to the present inventionin the exercise starting position.

FIGS. 83-88 are views of the third alternative embodiment exercisemachine in the exercise starting position, as depicted in FIGS. 77-82,but with a user in place to further illustrate the operation of theexercise machine.

FIGS. 89-94 are views of the third alternative embodiment exercisemachine, as depicted in FIGS. 77-88, but in the exercise endingposition.

FIGS. 95-100 are views of the third alternative embodiment exercisemachine in the exercise ending position, as depicted in FIGS. 89-94, butwith a user in place to further illustrate the operation of the exercisemachine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The embodiments of the present invention will now be described morefully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in whichpreferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may,however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construedas limited to the illustrated embodiments set forth herein. Rather,these illustrated embodiments are provided so that this disclosure willbe thorough and complete and will convey the scope of the invention tothose skilled in the art.

In the following description, like reference characters designate likeor corresponding parts throughout the figures. It is to be understoodthat the phraseology and terminology used in the following descriptionare used for the purpose of description and enablement, and should notbe regarded as limiting. Additionally, in the following description, itis understood that terms such as “top,” “bottom,” “side,” “front,”“back,” “inner,” “outer,” and the like, are words of convenience and arenot to be construed as limiting terms.

A triceps press exercise machine including a moving user support isdescribed herein. The embodiments of the present invention are designedto provide a triceps press exercise machine with a user support thattilts as the user performs a triceps press exercise. More specifically,as the user extends his or her arms from the exercise starting positionto the exercise ending position, the user support—and thus the user'storso—reclines progressively backwards. The user's natural reaction tothis reclining sensation is to bring his or her head forward, whichencourages the user to plant his or her lower back firmly into a stableposition against the back pad. This, in turn, avoids excessive archingof the lower back by maintaining the user's body in a more ergonomicallysound position throughout the exercise motion.

An embodiment of the present invention includes a triceps press exercisemachine 100 as depicted in FIGS. 1-28. The triceps press exercisemachine 100 includes a stationary main frame 110. The main frame 110supports the weight of the user and provides a fixed structure to whichall moving assemblies are connected. The main frame 110 is a fixed framestructure and includes a horizontal base strut 111, an upwardlyextending support member 112, a bracing member 113, and a user supportstrut 114 extending from the bracing member 113.

The main frame 110 also includes a connecting linkage mount 115, whichis located at the upper end of the upwardly extending support member112. The connecting linkage mount 115 includes a pivot sleeve 116 andbearings 117 for pivotally mounting the connecting linkage assembly 150on the main frame 110. The pivot sleeve 116 forms a generally horizontalpivot axis 118. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate thatthe pivot sleeve 116 and bearings 117 could alternatively be associatedwith the connecting linkage assembly 150 itself, rather than theconnecting linkage mount 115.

The main frame 110 also includes a user support mount 119 for pivotallymounting the user support frame 130 on the main frame 110. The usersupport mount 119 is located at the upper end of the user support strut114. In this embodiment, the user support mount 119 is a U-shapedmounting bracket with aligned through holes 120, which form a generallyhorizontal pivot axis 121. The main frame 110 further includes supportfeet 122 at both ends of the horizontal base strut 111. The forward endof the horizontal base strut 111 includes an upwardly directed stop 123that engages foot support bar 143 when the triceps press exercisemachine 100 is in the exercise starting position, as illustrated inFIGS. 1-12.

The triceps press exercise machine 100, as depicted in FIGS. 1-28,further includes a moving user support frame 130 that supports the userin a forward-facing, sitting position during performance of tricepspress exercise. The user support frame 130 is a frame structure orplatform that includes a moving frame member 131. According to thisembodiment, the moving frame member 131 is generally L-shaped with abase portion 132 and an upright portion 133. The moving frame member 131is pivotally mounted on the main frame 110 at the user support mount119, for rotation about pivot axis 121. More specifically, the movingframe member 131 includes a mounting location 134 located above thejunction or bend between the base portion 132 and the upright portion133. The mounting location 134 includes a pivot sleeve 135 and bearings136 for pivotally mounting the user support frame 130 for rotation aboutpivot axis 121. A pivot pin 137 passes through the pivot sleeve 135,bearings 136, and through holes 120 to provide a pivotal connectionbetween the user support frame 130 and the main frame 110. One ofordinary skill in the art, however, will appreciate that the pivotsleeve 135 and bearings 136 could alternatively be associated with themain frame 110, rather than the user support frame 130.

The pivot mounting of the user support frame 130 on the main frame 110defines a vertical gravitational center line of the pivotal movement.According to the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-28, portions of thecombined weight of the user and user support frame 130 are positioned onboth sides of the vertical gravitational center line in at least one ofthe exercise starting position and exercise ending position. Thisdistribution of weight reduces the effect of the user's body weight onthe resistance felt during the exercise. Further, this is the oppositeof most exercise devices that have moving user supports, which tend torely on the weight of the user for resistance. Whether it is theexercise starting position or the exercise ending position, most priorart pivoting user supports place the majority of the user's weight onone side of the gravitational center line of the pivoting movement,resulting in either a high initial lifting resistance, or a resistance“dropoff” at the end of the exercise.

In one embodiment, the portions of the combined weight of the user anduser support frame 130 that are positioned on each of the respectivesides of the vertical gravitational center line may be substantiallyequal. In another embodiment, a greater portion of the combined weightof the user and user support frame 130 is positioned on the rearwardside of the gravitational center line (i.e., the side that the usersupport frame 130 is pivoting towards) in the exercise startingposition. This reduces the initial lifting resistance. In yet anotherembodiment, a greater portion of the combined weight of the user anduser support frame 130 is positioned on the forward side of thegravitational center line (i.e., the side that the user support frame130 is pivoting away from) in the exercise ending position. By finishingthe exercise with a greater portion of the combined weight of the userand user support frame 130 on the trailing side of the gravitationalcenter line, resistance “dropoff” at the end of an exercise is reduced.

A seat pad 138 is adjustably mounted on the base portion 132 via seatsupport post 139 which is telescopically engaged in an open upper end ofa seat support tube 140 on the base portion 132. Seat support post 139has a series of openings (not shown) for selectable engagement withspring-biased pull pin 142 to adjust the height of the seat pad 138,based on user size and preference. The base portion 132 of the movingframe member 131 extends forward from the seat support tube 140, and afoot support bar 143 is transversely mounted at the forward end of baseportion 132. A footrest 144 is mounted at each end of foot support bar143 for engagement by a user's feet. A back pad 145 is mounted on theupright portion 133 of the moving frame member 131.

The upright portion 133 of the moving frame member 131 also includes auser engagement linkage mount 146. The user engagement linkage mount 146is located on the upright portion 133, above mounting location 134. Theuser engagement linkage mount 146 includes a pivot sleeve 147 andbearings 148 for pivotally connecting the user support frame 130 to theuser engagement linkage assembly 170. The pivot sleeve 147 forms agenerally horizontal pivot axis 149. One of ordinary skill in the artwill appreciate that the pivot sleeve 147 and bearings 148 couldalternatively be associated with the user engagement linkage assembly170 itself, rather than the user engagement linkage mount 146 of theuser support frame 130.

The triceps press exercise machine 100, as depicted in FIGS. 1-28,further includes a connecting linkage assembly 150 that links the mainframe 110 and the user engagement linkage assembly 170. The connectinglinkage assembly 150 includes a linkage bar 151 with a lower mount 152for pivotally connecting the connecting linkage assembly 150 to the mainframe 110 for rotation about pivot axis 118. The lower mount 152 is aU-shaped mounting bracket with aligned through holes 153. A pivot pin154 passes through the pivot sleeve 116, bearings 117, and through holes153 to provide a pivotal connection between the connecting linkageassembly 150 and the main frame 110.

The linkage bar 151 further includes an upper mount 155 located oppositethe lower mount 152. The upper mount 155 includes a pivot sleeve 156 andbearings 157 for pivotally connecting the connecting linkage assembly150 and the user engagement linkage assembly 170. The pivot sleeve 156forms a generally horizontal pivot axis 158. One of ordinary skill inthe art will appreciate that the pivot sleeve 156 and bearings 157 couldalternatively be associated with the user engagement linkage assembly170, rather than the upper mount 155 of the connecting linkage assembly150.

The linkage bar 151 also includes a standoff feature 159 with a rubberstop 160 that engages the stop bar 179 on the user engagement linkageassembly 170 when the triceps press exercise machine 100 is in theexercise starting position. Accordingly, the stop 123 located on thehorizontal base strut 111 (which engages the foot support bar 143) andthe stop 160 of the linkage bar 151 (which engages the user engagementlinkage assembly 170) together define the exercise starting position forthe triceps press exercise machine 100.

The triceps press exercise machine 100, as depicted in FIGS. 1-28,further includes a user engagement linkage assembly 170 that pivotallylinks the connecting linkage assembly 150, the user support frame 130,and the exercise arms 190. The user engagement linkage assembly 170includes a pair of linkage brackets 171. The linkage brackets 171 lie ingenerally vertical planes and are generally parallel with each other.The linkage brackets 171 include a forward mount 172 for pivotallymounting the user engagement linkage assembly 170 to the user supportframe 130 for relative rotation about pivot axis 149. More specifically,the forward mount 172 includes a pair of aligned through holes 173, onein each of the linkage brackets 171. A pivot pin 174 passes through thepivot sleeve 147, bearings 148, and through holes 173 to provide apivotal connection between the user engagement linkage assembly 170 andthe user support frame 130.

The linkage brackets 171 also include a central mount 175 for pivotallymounting the user engagement linkage assembly 170 to the connectinglinkage assembly 150 for relative rotation about pivot axis 158. Morespecifically, the central mount 175 includes a second pair of alignedthrough holes 176, one in each of the linkage brackets 171. A pivot pin177 passes through the pivot sleeve 156, bearings 157, and through holes176 to provide a pivotal connection between the user engagement linkageassembly 170 and the connecting linkage assembly 150.

The engagement linkage assembly 170 further includes a cable mount 178pivotally mounted to one or both of the linkage brackets 171. A stop bar179 is mounted between the linkage brackets 171 and provides a surfacefor engaging with the stop 160 located on the connecting linkageassembly 150. A linkage bar 180 is fixedly connected to both of thelinkage brackets 171. The linkage bar 180 extends generally transverseto the linkage brackets 171 in order to provide a pair of spaced apartends 181. Each of the two spaced apart ends 181 includes a respectiveinner mount plate 182. The inner mount plates 182 lie in generallyvertical planes and are generally parallel with each other. Thelocations of the spaced apart ends 181 of the linkage bar 180—and theirrespective inner mount plates 182—will principally determine the pivotlocations for the exercise arms 190.

Coupled to each of the respective inner mount plates 182 is an outercover plate 183. The outer cover plates 183 lie in generally verticalplanes and are generally parallel with the inner mount plates 182. Eachof the outer cover plates 183 is mounted to the respective inner mountplate 182 with spacers 184 between the outer and inner plates. Plasticguards 185 are mounted on the inner mount plates 182 and on the outercover plates 183, in order to prevent damage to the plates 182, 183and/or the exercise arms 190.

For each of the exercise arms 190, the spatial relationships between theinner mount plate 182, outer cover plate 183, spacers 184, and plasticguards 185 provide a pocket area 186 for receiving a universal joint187. The universal joint 187 mounts the exercise arm 190 for swingingrotation about at least two pivot axes. The pocket areas 186 also limitthe swing path of the exercise arms 190 and provide a rest location forthe exercise arms 190. More specifically, the spacers 184 located aboveand below an exercise arm 190 limit the upward/downward rotation of theexercise arm 190 relative to the user engagement linkage assembly 170(i.e., rotation about a horizontal pivot axis defined by the universaljoint 187). And the plastic guards 185 to the left and right of theexercise arm 190 limit the left/right rotation of the exercise arm 190relative to the user engagement linkage assembly 170 (i.e., rotationabout a vertical pivot axis defined by the universal joint 187).Further, when the triceps press exercise machine 100 is not in use, theexercise arms 190 will fall to a rest position defined by the pocketarea 186. Accordingly, when a user begins to use the triceps pressexercise machine 100, the exercise arms 190 will preferably be withineasy reach of the user.

The exercise arms 190 each include an elongate arm member 191. One endof the arm member 191 includes an exercise arm mount 192. The exercisearm mount 192 is adapted to receive the universal joint 187, whichcouples the exercise arm 190 to the user engagement linkage assembly 170for rotation about at least two pivot axes. The opposite end of the armmember 191 includes a grip area 193 for the user to grasp whenperforming triceps press exercises. One of ordinary skill in the artwill appreciation that the grip area 193 may be in numerous shapes orconfigurations (including a straight horizontal bar or bars, straightvertical bars, or bars bent into a “U,” “V,” or “W” shape) in order toprovide alternate hand grips or wrist angles, if desired.

The triceps press exercise machine 100 further includes a source ofresistance, which in the case of the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-28is a selectorized weight stack assembly 200. One of ordinary skill inthe art will appreciate, however, that the source of resistance mayinclude, without limitation, a weight stack, weight plates mounted onpegs, or other types of resistance such as hydraulic, pneumatic,electromagnetic, friction, springs, elastically bending rods, elasticbands, or the like. The selectorized weight stack assembly 200 includesa lifting rod 201 operatively connected to a cable 202, a plurality ofweight plates 203 which are slidingly mounted on guide rods 204, and ahousing 205. Lifting rod 201 and weight plates 203 have aligned openings206 through which a pin 207 can be inserted to connect weight plates 203to lifting rod 201. When a selected weight plate 203 is connected tolifting rod 201, the selected weight plate 203, and any weight platesabove the selected weight plate 203, will be lifted with the lifting rod201. Upper and lower weight stack struts 208, 209 rigidly brace thehousing 205 of the selectorized weight stack assembly 200 relative tothe main frame 110.

The triceps press exercise machine 100 depicted in FIGS. 1-28 furtherincludes a pulley assembly 210 that transmits the resistance provided bythe selectorized weight stack assembly 200 to the exercise arms 190 (viathe user engagement linkage assembly 170) and biases the exercise arms190 toward an exercise starting position. In the depicted embodiment,the pulley assembly 210 includes cable 202 anchored at the cable mount178 located on the user engagement linkage assembly 170. The cable 202extends around a first pulley 211 mounted on horizontal base strut 111and extends through a hollow in the horizontal base strut 111 to asecond pulley 212. The cable 202 then extends around second pulley 212through a hollow in the lower weight stack strut 209. The cable's 202second end is directly or indirectly connected to the lifting rod 201 ofthe selectorized weight stack assembly 200. Thus, movement of theexercise arms 190 from the exercise starting position to the exerciseending position, as described below, causes the cable 202 of the pulleyassembly 210 to pull the lifting rod 201 of the selectorized weightstack assembly 200, which in turn lifts the selected weight plate 203and any weight plates above the selected weight plate 203.

The operation and use of the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-28 will nowbe described with specific reference to FIGS. 7-12 and 19-24. FIGS. 7-12shows the depicted embodiment in an exercise starting position, with auser prepared to perform a triceps press exercise. The user is facingforward in a seated position on the user support frame 130. (Please notethat the forward and backward/rearward directions are defined withreference to the direction that the user is facing, which is alwaysforward.) The user's torso is supported by the seat pad 138 and the backpad 145, while the user's feet are supported by footrests 144. Asdescribed above, the height of the seat pad 138 may be adjusted toachieve the user's preferred position.

The user begins in the exercise starting position (FIGS. 7-12) bygrasping with his hands the grip areas 193 of the exercise arms 190.While keeping his elbows in a fixed position with respect to his torso,the user presses his hands and forearms forward, rotating them in anarcuate path about the elbows. The user continues this motion until hisarms are generally in a fully-extended position, at which point the userachieves the exercise ending position (FIGS. 19-24). The user would thentypically reverse the motion to return to the exercise startingposition. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the triceps pressexercise does not have to be done in the overhead fashion depicted butcan be performed with the hands positioned at head level, shoulderlevel, or in any position where the user can hold his elbows fixedrelative to his torso while extending his hands and forearms.

As the user moves his hands and forearms forward (from the exercisestarting position toward the exercise ending position), the exercisearms 190 move in a generally upward and forward direction. As discussedabove, the exercise arms 190 are linked to the user engagement linkageassembly 170 through universal joints 187. Consequently, as the exercisearms 190 move generally upward and forward, the rear portion of the userengagement linkage assembly 170 similarly moves in a generally upwardand forward direction. As the rear portion of the user engagementlinkage assembly 170 moves upward, the end of cable 202 that is anchoredto the user engagement linkage assembly 170 at cable mount 178, is alsopulled upward. The cable 202 is thus pulled along its routed path inpulley assembly 210, such that the opposite end of the cable 202 liftsthe lifting rod 201 and selected weight plates 203 within theselectorized weight stack 200.

Additionally, as the rear portion of the user engagement linkageassembly 170 moves upward and forward, the user engagement linkageassembly 170 rotates about pivot axis 158. As a result of this rotation,the forward end of the user engagement linkage assembly 170 is drivendownward. This, in turn, pushes the user support frame 130 downward atpivot axis 149. Consequently, the user support frame 130 rotatesrearwardly about pivot axis 121. That is, the user support frame 130reclines progressively backward about pivot axis 121 as the user movesthe exercise arms 190 from the exercise starting position to theexercise ending position.

Additional embodiments of the present invention include triceps pressexercise machines such as those depicted in FIGS. 29-76 and in FIGS.77-100. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that FIGS.29-76 and FIGS. 77-100, along with their accompanying descriptions, aresimplified to convey and enable the basic structure and operation ofthese embodiments in light of the detailed description and drawingsalready provided with respect to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-28. Theembodiments of FIGS. 29-76 and FIGS. 77-100 may include any or all ofthe components and features described and depicted with respect to theembodiment of FIGS. 1-28. The present invention encompasses all suchvariations. Accordingly, the description of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-28is expressly incorporated with respect to each of the embodiments shownin FIGS. 29-76 and in FIGS. 77-100.

FIGS. 29-76 depict an additional embodiment of the present inventionwith a rotatably adjustable user engagement linkage assembly that allowsthe user to adjust the exercise starting and exercise ending positionsof the exercise arms 190. This adjustment allows the user to configurethe triceps press exercise machine 300 to perform triceps pressexercises at different positions, or alternatively, an incline chestpress exercise. FIGS. 29-40 show a triceps press exercise machine 300 inan exercise starting position for a triceps press exercise. FIGS. 41-52show the triceps press exercise machine 300 in an exercise endingposition for a triceps press exercise. FIGS. 53-64 show the tricepspress exercise machine 300 in an exercise starting position for anincline chest press exercise. And FIGS. 65-76 show a triceps pressexercise machine 300 in an exercise ending position for an incline chestpress exercise. The embodiment of FIGS. 29-76 includes a main frame 110,a user support frame 130, a connecting linkage assembly 150, a linkagemount assembly 310, a user engagement linkage assembly 350, a pair ofexercise arms 190, a selectorized weight stack assembly 200 providing asource of resistance, and a pulley assembly 210.

The linkage mount assembly 310 pivotally links the connecting linkageassembly 150, the user support frame 130, and the user engagementlinkage assembly 350. Further, the linkage mount assembly 310 provides apivotal mounting point and rotational adjustment for the user engagementlinkage assembly 350, in order to adjust the exercise starting andexercise ending positions for the exercise arms 190. Similar to the userengagement linkage assembly 170 depicted in FIGS. 1-28, the linkagemount assembly 310 includes: (1) a forward mount 311 for pivotallyconnecting the linkage mount assembly 310 to the user support frame 130for relative rotation about pivot axis 149, (2) a central mount 312 forpivotally connecting the linkage mount assembly 310 to the connectinglinkage assembly 150 for relative rotation about pivot axis 158, and (3)a cable mount 178 for attaching the cable 202 of the pulley assembly210.

The linkage mount assembly 310 also includes a rear mount 320 forpivotally connecting the user engagement linkage assembly 350 to thelinkage mount assembly 310. The rear mount 320 includes a pivot sleeve321 for pivotally mounting the user engagement linkage assembly 350. Thepivot sleeve 321 forms a generally horizontal pivot axis 323 and alsoengages the stop 160 on the connecting linkage assembly 150 when thetriceps press exercise machine 310 is in the exercise starting position.One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the pivot sleeve321 could alternatively be associated with the user engagement linkageassembly 350, rather than the linkage mount assembly 310. The rear mount320 further includes a plurality of range-of-motion indexing holes 325.

The triceps press exercise machine 300, as depicted in FIGS. 29-76, alsoincludes a user engagement linkage assembly 350 that is associated withthe exercise arms 190 and is adjustably rotatable with respect to thelinkage mount assembly 310. The user engagement linkage assembly 350includes a mount 351. The mount 351 provides pivotal mounting of theuser engagement linkage assembly 350 to the linkage mount assembly 310for relative rotation about pivot axis 323. The mount 351 includes aspring-biased pull pin 352 for rotatably adjusting the position of theuser engagement linkage assembly 350 with respect to the linkage mountassembly 310. That is, a user may selectively engage or release the pullpin 352 into one or more of the indexing holes 325 in order to couplethe user engagement linkage assembly 350 to the linkage mount assembly310 at a preferred angle of relative rotation about pivot axis 323. Thevarious indexing holes 325 allow the user to couple the user engagementlinkage assembly 350 to the linkage mount assembly 310 when the exercisearms 190 are in a preferred position for starting (and ending) anexercise. More specifically, the user may engage or release the pull pin352 into one or more indexing holes 325 in order to adjust the positionof the exercise arms 190 for performance of a triceps press exercise(FIGS. 29-52) or for performance of an incline chest press exercise(FIGS. 53-76).

The remaining features of the current embodiment (e.g., main frame 110,user support frame 130, connecting linkage assembly 150, exercise arms190, selectorized weight stack assembly 200, and a pulley assembly 210)may be substantially the same as that of the embodiment depicted inFIGS. 1-28. Description of those components and features areincorporated herein by reference.

FIGS. 77-100 depict an additional embodiment of the present invention.FIGS. 77-88 show a triceps press exercise machine 500 in an exercisestarting position, while FIGS. 89-100 show the triceps press exercisemachine 500 in an exercise ending position. The embodiment of FIGS.77-100 includes a main frame 510, a user support frame 130, a connectinglinkage assembly 550, a user engagement linkage assembly 570, anexercise arm 590, a selectorized weight stack assembly 200 providing asource of resistance, and a pulley assembly 610.

As in the previously described embodiments, the main frame 510 supportsthe weight of the user and provides a fixed structure to which allmoving assemblies are connected. The main frame 510 is a fixed framestructure and includes a horizontal base strut 511, an upwardlyextending support member 512, a bracing member 513, and a user supportstrut 514 extending from the bracing member 513. The main frame 510 alsoincludes a user support mount 515 for pivotally mounting the usersupport frame 130 on the main frame 510. The user support mount 515 islocated at the upper end of the user support strut 514 and defines agenerally horizontal pivot axis 516.

The main frame 510 further includes a user engagement linkage supportstrut 517, which extends upwardly and forwardly from the upwardlyextending support member 512. A user engagement linkage mount 518 islocated at the end of the user engagement support strut 517. The userengagement linkage mount 518 provides pivotal mounting of the userengagement linkage assembly 570 and forms a horizontal pivot axis 519.The main frame 510 further includes support feet 520 at both ends of thehorizontal base strut 511. The forward end of the horizontal base strut511 includes an upwardly directed stop 521 that engages foot support bar143 when the triceps press exercise machine 500 is in the exercisestarting position, as illustrated in FIGS. 77-88.

The triceps press exercise machine 500 further includes a connectinglinkage assembly 550 that links the user support frame 130 and the userengagement linkage assembly 570. The connecting linkage assembly 550includes a pair of linkage brackets 551. The linkage brackets 551 lie ingenerally vertical planes and are generally parallel with each other.The linkage brackets 551 include a forward mount 552 for pivotallymounting the connecting linkage assembly 550 to the user support frame130 for relative rotation about pivot axis 149. The linkage brackets 551also include a rear mount 553 for pivotally mounting the connectinglinkage assembly 550 to the user engagement linkage assembly 570. Therear mount 553 defines a generally horizontal pivot axis 554.

The triceps press exercise machine 500 further includes a userengagement linkage assembly 570 that pivotally links the connectinglinkage assembly 550, the main frame 510, and the exercise arm 590. Theuser engagement linkage assembly 570 includes a linkage bar 571. Thelinkage bar 571 includes a forward mount 572 for pivotally mounting theuser engagement linkage assembly 570 to the connecting linkage assembly550 for relative rotation about pivot axis 554. The linkage bar 571 alsoincludes a central mount 573 for pivotally mounting the user engagementlinkage assembly 570 to the main frame 510 for relative rotation aboutpivot axis 519. The linkage bar 571 further includes a rear mount 574for pivotally mounting the exercise arm 590. The rear mount 574 definesa generally horizontal pivot axis 575. The linkage bar 571 also includesa standoff feature 576 with a rubber stop 577 that engages the usersupport frame 130 when the triceps press exercise machine 500 is in theexercise starting position. Accordingly, the stop 521 located on thehorizontal base strut 511 (which engages the foot support bar 143) andthe stop 577 of the linkage bar 571 (which engages the exercise arm 190)together define the exercise starting position for the triceps pressexercise machine 500. The user engagement linkage assembly 570 furtherincludes a cable mount 578.

The exercise arm 590 of the current embodiment is one unitary component,unlike the independently mounted exercise arms 190 depicted in FIGS.1-28. The exercise arm 590 includes a pair of elongate arm members 591.One end of the arm members 591 includes an exercise arm mount 592 forrigidly mounting the exercise arm 590 to the user engagement linkageassembly 570 for relative rotation about pivot axis 575. The oppositeend of the arm members 591 includes a grip area 593 for the user tograsp when performing triceps press exercises. One of ordinary skill inthe art will appreciation that the grip area 593 may be in numerousshapes or configurations (including a straight horizontal bar or bars,straight vertical bars, or bars bent into a “U,” “V,” or “W” shape) inorder to provide alternate hand grips or wrist angles, if desired.

The triceps press exercise machine 500 depicted in FIGS. 77-100 furtherincludes a pulley assembly 610 that transmits the resistance provided bythe selectorized weight stack assembly 200 to the exercise arm 590 (viathe user engagement linkage assembly 570) and biases the exercise arm590 toward an exercise starting position. In the depicted embodiment,the pulley assembly 610 includes cable 602 anchored at the cable mount578 located on the user engagement linkage assembly 570. The cable 602extends around a first pulley 611 mounted on upwardly extending supportmember 512 and extends through a hollow in upwardly extending supportmember 512 to a second pulley 612. Cable 602 then extends around secondpulley 612 and through a hollow in horizontal base strut 511 to a thirdpulley 613. The cable 602 then extends around third pulley 613 andthrough a hollow in the lower weight stack strut 209. The cable's 602second end is directly or indirectly connected to the lifting rod 201 ofthe selectorized weight stack assembly 200. Thus, movement of theexercise arm 590 from the exercise starting position to the exerciseending position, as described below, causes the cable 602 of the pulleyassembly 610 to pull the lifting rod 201 of the selectorized weightstack assembly 200, which in turn lifts the selected weight plate 203and any weight plates above the selected weight plate 203.

The remaining features of the current embodiment (e.g., user supportframe 130 and selectorized weight stack assembly 200) may besubstantially the same as that of the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-28.Description of those components and features are, therefore,incorporated herein by reference.

The operation and use of the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 77-100 willnow be described with specific reference to FIGS. 83-88 and 95-100.FIGS. 83-88 show the depicted embodiment in an exercise startingposition, with a user prepared to perform a triceps press exercise. Theuser is facing forward in a seated position on the user support frame130. (The forward and backward/rearward directions are defined withreference to the direction that the user is facing, which is alwaysforward.) The user's torso is supported by the seat pad 138 and the backpad 145, while the user's feet are supported by footrests 144. Aspreviously described, the height of the seat pad 138 may be adjusted toachieve the user's preferred position.

The user begins in the exercise starting position (FIGS. 83-88) bygrasping with his hands the grip area 593 of the exercise arm 590. Whilekeeping his elbows in a fixed position with respect to his torso, theuser presses his hands and forearms forward, rotating them in an arcuatepath about the elbows. The user continues this motion until his arms aregenerally in a fully-extended position, at which point the user achievesthe exercise ending position (FIGS. 95-100). The user would thentypically reverse the motion to return to the exercise startingposition. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the triceps pressexercise does not have to be done in the overhead fashion depicted butcan be performed with the hands positioned at head level, shoulderlevel, or in any position where the user can hold his elbows fixedrelative to his torso while extending his hands and forearms.

As the user moves his hands and forearms forward (from the exercisestarting position toward the exercise ending position), the exercise arm590 moves in a generally upward and forward direction. As discussedabove, the exercise arm 590 is pivotally linked to the user engagementlinkage assembly 570 for rotation about pivot axis 575. Consequently, asthe exercise arm 590 moves generally upward and forward, the rearportion of the user engagement linkage assembly 570 similarly moves in agenerally upward and forward direction. As the rear portion of the userengagement linkage assembly 570 moves upward, the end of cable 602 thatis anchored to the user engagement linkage assembly 570 at cable mount578, is also pulled upward. The cable 602 is thus pulled along itsrouted path in pulley assembly 610, such that the opposite end of thecable 602 lifts the lifting rod 201 and weight plates 203 within theselectorized weight stack 200.

Additionally, as the rear portion of the user engagement linkageassembly 570 moves upward and forward, the user engagement linkageassembly 570 rotates about pivot axis 519. As a result of this rotation,the forward end of the user engagement linkage assembly 570 is drivendownward. This, in turn, pushes the connecting linkage assembly 550downward at pivot axis 554. As the connecting linkage assembly 550 isforced downward, it causes a downward movement on the user support frame130 at pivot axis 149. Consequently, the user support frame 130 rotatesrearwardly about pivot axis 516. Thus, the user support frame 130reclines progressively backward about pivot axis 516 as the user movesthe exercise arm 590 from the exercise starting position to the exerciseending position.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 100 triceps press exercise machine 110 mainframe 111 horizontal base strut 112 upwardly extending support member113 bracing member 114 user support strut 115 connecting linkage mount116 pivot sleeve 117 bearings 118 pivot axis 119 user support mount 120through hole 121 pivot axis 122 support foot 123 stop 130 user supportframe 131 moving frame member 132 base portion 133 upright portion 134mounting location 135 pivot sleeve 136 bearings 137 pivot pin 138 seatpad 139 seat support post 140 seat support tube 142 pull pin 143 footsupport bar 144 footrest 145 back pad 146 user engagement linkage mount147 pivot sleeve 148 bearings 149 pivot axis 150 connecting linkageassembly 151 linkage bar 152 lower mount 153 through holes 154 pivot pin155 upper mount 156 pivot sleeve 157 bearings 158 pivot axis 159standoff feature 160 stop 170 user engagement linkage assembly 171linkage brackets 172 forward mount 173 through holes 174 pivot pin 175central mount 176 through holes 177 pivot pin 178 cable mount 179 stopbar 180 linking bar 181 spaced apart end 182 inner mount plate 183 outercover plate 184 spacer 185 plastic guard 186 pocket area 187 universaljoint 190 exercise arm 191 arm member 192 exercise arm mount 193 griparea 200 selectorized weight stack 201 lifting rod 202 cable 203 weightplates 204 guide rods 205 housing 206 openings 207 pin 208 upper weightstack strut 209 lower weight stack strut 210 pulley assembly 211 firstpulley 212 second pulley 300 triceps press exercise machine 310 linkagemount assembly 311 forward mount 315 central mount 320 rear mount 321pivot sleeve 323 pivot axis 325 indexing holes 350 user engagementlinkage assembly 351 mount 352 pull pin 500 triceps press exercisemachine 510 main frame 511 horizontal base strut 512 upwardly extendingsupport member 513 bracing member 514 user support strut 515 usersupport mount 516 pivot axis 517 user engagement linkage support strut518 user engagement linkage mount 519 pivot axis 520 support fleet 521stop 550 connecting linkage assembly 551 linkage brackets 552 forwardmount 553 rear mount 554 pivot axis 570 user engagement linkage assembly571 linkage bar 572 forward mount 573 central mount 574 rear mount 575pivot axis 576 standoff feature 577 stop 578 cable mount 590 exercisearm 591 arm member 592 exercise arm mount 593 grip area 602 cable 610pulley assembly 611 first pulley 612 second pulley 613 third pulleyThe list of reference numerals is provided for convenience and isintended to aid understanding of the illustrated embodiments describedabove. The embodiments of the present invention may be described in manydifferent forms and should not be construed as limited to theillustrated embodiments. Likewise, the list above setting forth thereference numerals and associated components comprising the illustratedembodiments do not limit the scope of the invention as recited in theclaims that follow.

1. An exercise machine for performing triceps press exercises, theexercise machine comprising: a stationary main frame; a connectinglinkage assembly pivotally connected to the main frame; a userengagement linkage assembly pivotally connected to the connectinglinkage assembly; at least one exercise arm pivotally connected to theuser engagement linkage assembly and configured to be moved by a userfrom an exercise starting position to an exercise ending position; asource of resistance associated with the at least one exercise arm whichbiases the at least one exercise arm toward the exercise startingposition; and a user support frame pivotally connected to the main frameand to the user engagement linkage assembly, wherein the user supportframe is configured to support a user in a seated position and includesa seat pad, a back pad, and a footrest, and wherein the user supportframe is configured to recline progressively backward as the at leastone exercise arm moves from the exercise starting position to theexercise ending position.
 2. The exercise machine of claim 1, whereinthe at least one exercise arm is linked to the user engagement linkageassembly through at least one universal joint, and in response to theuser moving the at least one exercise arm from the exercise startingposition to the exercise ending position, a rear portion of the userengagement linkage assembly moves in a same direction as the at leastone exercise arm.
 3. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the userengagement assembly comprises a forward end that is connected to theuser support frame, and the forward end of the user engagement assemblyis driven downward and pushes the user support frame in response to theuser moving the at least one exercise arm from the exercise startingposition to the exercise ending position.
 4. The exercise machine ofclaim 1, wherein the source of resistance is a selectorized weight stackassembly that is connected to the user engagement linkage assembly by acable at a cable mount on the user engagement linkage assembly.
 5. Theexercise machine of claim 1, wherein the user engagement linkageassembly is pivotally connected to the at least one exercise arm at aforward portion of the user engagement linkage assembly, pivotallyconnected to the user support frame at a rear portion of the userengagement linkage assembly, and pivotally connected to the connectinglinkage at a middle portion of the user engagement linkage assembly thatis between the forward portion of the user engagement linkage assemblyand the rear portion of the user engagement linkage assembly.
 6. Theexercise machine of claim 5, wherein the middle portion of the userengagement linkage assembly is closer to the rear portion of the userengagement linkage assembly than to the forward portion of the userengagement linkage assembly.
 7. The exercise machine of claim 6, whereinthe source of resistance is a selectorized weight stack assembly that isconnected to the user engagement linkage assembly by a cable at a cablemount.
 8. The exercise machine of claim 7, wherein the cable mount ispositioned on a portion of the user engagement linkage assembly that isbetween the forward portion and the middle portion.
 9. An exercisemachine, comprising: a stationary main frame; a connecting linkageassembly pivotally connected to the main frame; a linkage mount assemblypivotally connected to the connecting linkage assembly; a userengagement linkage assembly pivotally connected to the linkage mountassembly; at least one exercise arm pivotally connected to the userengagement linkage assembly and configured to be moved by a user from anexercise starting position to an exercise ending position; a source ofresistance associated with the at least one exercise arm which biasesthe at least one exercise arm toward the exercise starting position; anda user support frame pivotally connected to the main frame and to thelinkage mount assembly, wherein the user support frame is configured tosupport a user in a seated position and includes a seat pad, a back pad,and a footrest, wherein the user support frame is configured to reclineprogressively backward as the at least one exercise arm moves from theexercise starting position to the exercise ending position, and whereinthe user engagement linkage assembly is configured to be rotated andlocked into a selected orientation with respect to the linkage mountassembly in order to adjust the position of the at least one exercisearm in the exercise starting position and the exercise ending position.10. The exercise machine of claim 9, wherein the at least one exercisearm is linked to the user engagement linkage assembly through at leastone universal joint, and in response to the user moving the at least oneexercise arm from the exercise starting position to the exercise endingposition, a rear portion of the user engagement linkage assembly movesin a same direction as the at least one exercise arm.
 11. The exercisemachine of claim 9, wherein the user engagement assembly comprises aforward end that is connected to the user support frame, and the forwardend of the user engagement assembly is driven downward and pushes theuser support frame in response to the user moving the at least oneexercise arm from the exercise starting position to the exercise endingposition.
 12. The exercise machine of claim 9, wherein the source ofresistance is a selectorized weight stack assembly that is connected tothe user engagement linkage assembly by a cable at a cable mount on theuser engagement linkage assembly.
 13. The exercise machine of claim 9,wherein the user engagement linkage assembly is pivotally connected tothe at least one exercise arm at a forward portion of the userengagement linkage assembly, pivotally connected to the user supportframe at a rear portion of the user engagement linkage assembly, andpivotally connected to the connecting linkage at a middle portion of theuser engagement linkage assembly that is between the forward portion ofthe user engagement linkage assembly and the rear portion of the userengagement linkage assembly.
 14. The exercise machine of claim 13,wherein the middle portion of the user engagement linkage assembly iscloser to the rear portion of the user engagement linkage assembly thanto the forward portion of the user engagement linkage assembly.
 15. Theexercise machine of claim 14, wherein the source of resistance is aselectorized weight stack assembly that is connected to the userengagement linkage assembly by a cable at a cable mount.
 16. Theexercise machine of claim 15, wherein the cable mount is positioned on aportion of the user engagement linkage assembly that is between theforward portion and the middle portion.
 17. The exercise machine ofclaim 9, wherein the exercise machine is adjustable by the user for useas a triceps press exercise machine or as a chest press exercise machineby adjusting the position of the user engagement linkage assembly withrespect to the linkage mount assembly.
 18. An exercise machine forperforming triceps press exercises, the exercise machine comprising astationary main frame; a user engagement linkage assembly pivotallyconnected to the main frame; at least one exercise arm pivotallyconnected to the user engagement linkage assembly and configured to bemoved by a user from an exercise starting position to an exercise endingposition; a source of resistance associated with the at least oneexercise arm which biases the at least one exercise arm toward theexercise starting position; a connecting linkage assembly pivotallyconnected to the user engagement linkage assembly; a user support framepivotally connected to the main frame and to the connecting linkageassembly, wherein the user support frame is configured to support a userin a seated position and includes a seat pad, a back pad, and afootrest, and wherein the user support frame is configured to reclineprogressively backward as the at least one exercise arm moves from theexercise starting position to the exercise ending position.